LG G2 Review: The Rear Key Design After a Month
After a month with the LG G2, its rear key arrangement remained its most distinctive feature—and the feature most likely to divide buyers. The power button sits in the centre of a raised strip, flanked by volume rockers, with a separate camera shortcut below. It looks unusual, but the arrangement proved more useful than a novelty once fingers learned the back of the handset.
The G2 was a technically strong Android flagship with a 5.2-inch Full HD display, Snapdragon 800 processor, 13-megapixel camera and 3,000mAh battery. Its angled rear controls offered a practical way to adjust the sound during a busy day, although users still had to adjust their grip. That compromise between innovation and familiarity defined the phone after extended use.
The rear key in daily use
LG placed the G2’s power and volume controls on a curved module near the upper rear edge. The centre power button has a distinct, firm click, while the surrounding rockers are easy to distinguish by touch. Below them, the dedicated camera key can open the camera app directly. Finding these controls without looking quickly became natural after the first few days.
The rear placement worked particularly well during a crowded commute on a Sydney or Melbourne train. Holding a coffee, shopping bag or ticket in one hand left the other free to unlock the handset, change the volume and take a photograph. Reaching the side controls usually required shifting the phone or briefly supporting it with both hands. The G2 was not a small device, yet the rear controls made one-handed operation more convincing than its dimensions suggested.
There was still a learning period. The camera key sat slightly too close to the volume rocker and occasionally registered when the phone was gripped firmly. Putting the G2 face-up on a café table also made the power button harder to reach. Most owners adapted by keeping the phone in a pocket, case or hand, but anyone expecting a conventional side-mounted button would need to reconsider their habits.
Design, display and pocketability
The rear panel curves towards the edges, giving the G2 a more comfortable shape than the flat slabs competing with it. At approximately 145g, it felt lighter than its large screen suggested. Narrow bezels helped, although the broad proportions meant that people with smaller hands still needed a careful grip. The removable back cover also improved grip and allowed access to the battery and microSD slot.
Its 5.2-inch IPS LCD produced sharp text and vivid colours at the Full HD resolution of 1920 by 1080. Pixel density of roughly 424ppi made icons and small writing look clean, a meaningful advantage over many QHD rivals arriving later. Viewing angles were generally good, and the screen remained usable inside a bright office.
Australian summer sunlight presented the more demanding test. At maximum brightness, the G2 was readable outdoors, but reflections could still obscure darker interfaces. An automatic brightness setting helped during a walk through a park or a trip along a suburban street, while the high resolution made notifications easier to check without unlocking the phone. The large panel was excellent for maps, video and web pages, though it made the on-screen keyboard feel crowded.
Performance, software and mobile networks
The Snapdragon 800 chip, running at 2.26GHz with 2GB of RAM, handled menus, games and multitasking without visible hesitation. Daily navigation remained fluid, and heavier applications launched quickly. The G2 also included a microSD card slot, a useful feature when a 16GB or 32GB internal model filled with photographs, music and offline maps.
Its custom Android interface offered useful controls without overwhelming the basic Android experience. QSlide placed compatible apps in smaller windows, while QuickMemo captured notes directly over the home screen. An infrared blaster could operate compatible televisions and set-top boxes, although customers needed to confirm regional compatibility before relying on it. Historical information is available through the LG G2 launch records, which provide useful context for its original positioning.
Australia’s 4G market was expanding rapidly, with Optus, Telstra and Vodafone promoting LTE services under different technical and commercial arrangements. The G2 arrived as an Optus launch partner, and network performance depended on the exact model and local coverage. Buyers comparing it with another carrier’s handset should check band support, SIM restrictions and coverage around their home and regular commute before spending their money.
Camera, battery and everyday carry
The rear camera used a 13-megapixel sensor with optical image stabilisation, optical rather than digital stabilisation making a visible difference in daylight. Colours were generally lively, while automatic exposure handled the high contrast of bright beaches and city buildings better than expected. Video recording at 1080p produced smooth results, and the dedicated shutter made it easier to capture spontaneous moments.
Low-light photography was less impressive, with noise appearing as the light fell and fine detail softening around bright sources. The camera app remained responsive, and optical stabilisation helped handheld shots in restaurants or evening streets. For everyday social photographs, it was dependable without matching the strongest dedicated-camera phones.
Battery life was one of the G2’s strongest advantages. The 3,000mAh cell comfortably covered a working day of frequent messaging, web browsing, music and photography. Its removable design also meant that a spare battery could be carried during a long trip, an increasingly rare convenience among sealed flagship phones. Charging used micro-USB rather than a newer connector, but the supplied cable worked with the wall adaptors commonly found in Australian homes.
Comparison with leading Android flagships
The G2 entered a crowded Australian flagship market at roughly A$699, with exact prices changing between outright sales, prepaid offers and carrier instalments. The following comparison uses indicative launch-era pricing rather than individual promotional deals.
| Model | Indicative launch price | Display | Main controls | Battery | Standout feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG G2 | About A$699 | 5.2-inch Full HD | Rear power and volume keys | 3,000mAh, removable | Infrared and microSD support |
| Samsung Galaxy S4 | About A$799 | 5.0-inch Full HD | Side-mounted controls | 2,600mAh, removable | Broad feature set |
| HTC One M7 | About A$799 | 4.7-inch Full HD | Side-mounted controls | 2,300mAh, sealed | Premium metal construction |
| Sony Xperia Z | About A$699 | 5.0-inch Full HD | Side-mounted controls | 2,330mAh, sealed | Water-resistant body |
Against the Galaxy S4, the G2 offered a larger screen, a larger removable battery and more unusual controls. Samsung’s handset had a more familiar layout, a strong camera and a wide selection of local carrier variants. For buyers already accustomed to Android phones with side buttons, that familiarity carried real value.
The HTC One provided a more polished metal body and a smaller display, while the Xperia Z added water resistance. LG’s advantages were the G2’s screen quality, expandable storage, infrared blaster and rear controls. Its weaknesses included the lack of a fingerprint reader, a relatively crowded interface and uncertainty over long-term software support. None of those flaws spoiled daily use, but they gave the Galaxy S4 a slight edge for buyers prioritising a predictable ecosystem.
Making a practical buying decision
The LG G2 made the most sense for someone willing to adopt its rear-button layout and value battery life, a sharp screen and expandable storage. It also suited users who wanted a capable camera without carrying a separate compact camera for everyday family photographs. Those who preferred a conventional design or expected years of guaranteed Android updates should consider the Galaxy S4 or a more recent alternative.
Australian buyers should compare GST-inclusive outright pricing with the cost of a carrier plan, including the handset repayment and any contract lock. Network compatibility, coverage and the availability of local warranty service mattered as much as the specification sheet. Under the Australian Consumer Law, purchases from legitimate retailers are covered by consumer guarantees, but those guarantees do not create an obligation to provide unspecified years of software updates.
Before paying, verify the exact model, storage capacity, network bands and battery condition of a second-hand device. Read independent buying advice in the mobile buying guides, compare the G2 with the strongest rivals and check the current retailer or used-device listings. Choose the LG G2 when its rear key design, strong screen and removable battery outweigh the benefits of a newer, more familiar handset.